Botanical Garden (Botanisk Have), Copenhagen
A 19th‑century glasshouse icon and Denmark’s largest living plant collection, the Botanical Garden is Copenhagen’s green refuge for slow, curious wandering.
Copenhagen’s Botanical Garden is a 10-hectare green sanctuary in the historic heart of the city, showcasing Denmark’s largest collection of living plants. Laid out in the 1870s, it combines winding paths, themed beds and a tranquil lake with a spectacular ensemble of 19th‑century glasshouses, including the iconic Palm House and a seasonal Butterfly House. Free to enter outdoors, it invites unhurried strolls, quiet corners on the grass, and close encounters with rare flora from Denmark and far beyond.
A brief summary to Botanical Garden
- Gothersgade 128, København K, København K, 1123, DK
- +4535322222
- Visit website
- Duration: 1.5 to 4 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
- Monday 8:30 am-4 pm
- Tuesday 8:30 am-4 pm
- Wednesday 8:30 am-4 pm
- Thursday 8:30 am-4 pm
- Friday 8:30 am-4 pm
- Saturday 8:30 am-4 pm
- Sunday 8:30 am-4 pm
Local tips
- Entry to the outdoor garden is free, but the Palm House and other greenhouses require a paid ticket; check current prices and opening hours before planning your visit.
- The Palm House is warm and humid year‑round; dress in layers so you can comfortably move between cool outdoor paths and steamy indoor climates.
- Aim for a weekday morning or late afternoon for a quieter atmosphere, especially if you want unhurried time in the glasshouses and by the lake.
- Allow extra time in late spring and early summer when outdoor borders and the rock gardens are at their most colourful and photogenic.
- Surfaces are a mix of gravel and paved paths; comfortable shoes make it easier to explore the full circuit, including gentle slopes around Conifer Hill.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Drinking Water
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Sheltered Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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Metro and walking
From Nørreport Station, which is served by the M1, M2, M3 and M4 metro lines as well as S‑trains, the Botanical Garden is roughly a 5–10 minute walk on level city pavements. The metro ride from central hubs like Kongens Nytorv or Copenhagen Central Station typically takes 2–6 minutes, with trains running every few minutes. A standard single metro ticket within the city centre costs in the range of 20–30 DKK, or you can use a travel card for better value if making multiple trips.
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City bus
Several city bus routes stop close to the garden around Nørreport and Øster Voldgade, with typical journey times of 10–20 minutes from inner‑city neighbourhoods depending on traffic. Standard bus fares within the central zones are usually around 20–30 DKK per journey and can be paid with a travel card or mobile ticket. Buses run frequently during the day, but evening and weekend services may operate at longer intervals.
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Bicycle
Copenhagen’s extensive cycle lanes make the Botanical Garden easy to reach by bike from most central districts in about 5–15 minutes. You can use city bikes or standard rentals, which commonly cost from around 50–150 DKK for a few hours or a day, depending on the provider. Bike parking racks are located near the garden entrances, though they may fill up during sunny weekends and peak visiting hours.
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Taxi or rideshare
Taxis and licensed rideshare services can drop you near the main entrance on Gothersgade, with typical journeys from central Copenhagen taking 5–15 minutes depending on traffic. Fares within the city centre usually fall in the 80–180 DKK range, varying with distance, time of day and waiting time. Be aware that traffic can be slower during rush hours, and set‑down is on public streets rather than inside the garden grounds.
Botanical Garden location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Clear Skies
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Rain / Wet Weather
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Mild Temperatures
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Cold Weather
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Hot Weather
Discover more about Botanical Garden
A historic oasis in the middle of Copenhagen
The Botanical Garden, or Botanisk Have, spreads across around 10 hectares just a short stroll from Copenhagen’s busy shopping streets. Established in its current location in the 1870s, it was carefully laid out as both a scientific garden and a public park, with curving paths, sweeping lawns and a central lake that reflects the surrounding trees and glasshouses. Even though the city hum is never far away, once you step inside the gates the atmosphere shifts to something calmer and more contemplative. The garden forms part of the Natural History Museum of Denmark and holds the country’s largest living plant collection. Beds are organised into sections covering everything from native Danish flora to alpine rockeries, conifers and perennial borders. As you wander, subtle changes in planting and microclimate guide you from cool, shaded corners to sunny slopes and herb-scented borders.Plant worlds gathered from across the globe
Botanical labels hint at just how global the collection is. One area focuses on Danish species, offering a compact survey of plants you would encounter in meadows, forests and coastal landscapes. Nearby, a rock garden recreates high mountain conditions with plants from Central and Southern Europe clinging to carefully arranged stonework. Further on, Conifer Hill gathers evergreens in sculptural silhouettes, while perennial and annual beds become a riot of colour in late spring and summer. The garden also maintains gene banks, preserving rare and threatened species. Even in the colder months, the structure of shrubs, seed heads and evergreens keeps the landscape visually engaging, and the glasshouses add a sense of promise on grey days.The Palm House and its glasshouse companions
The showpiece of the garden is the grand Palm House, a cast‑iron and glass conservatory dating from 1874. Inspired by the Victorian glass palaces of its era, its central dome and flanking wings shelter tall palms, lianas and lush understorey plants in warm, humid air. Inside, a narrow spiral staircase leads up to an elevated gallery, where you can look down over the palm crowns and out through curved glass panes. Adjoining glasshouses extend the climatic range further. One houses plants from cool Arctic and alpine environments, where dwarf shrubs and cushion plants thrive in carefully controlled conditions. In warmer months, a Butterfly House brings you into close proximity with free‑flying butterflies that weave among flowering plants, adding movement and colour to the greenhouse glow.Seasonal moods and everyday city escapes
The garden’s character changes with the calendar. In early spring, bulbs push through the soil around bare trunks, followed by waves of rhododendrons, magnolias and herbaceous borders as temperatures rise. Summer days draw locals onto the lawns around the lake, sitting with books or picnic baskets under mature trees while the city’s towers peek over the canopy. Autumn paints the arboretum in copper and gold, and the lake mirrors both falling leaves and the white ribs of the Palm House. In winter, paths can be crisp underfoot, and the glasshouses offer a welcoming contrast, wrapping you in warmth and the scent of damp soil and foliage. Any time of year, the garden works as a gentle reset between museums, shops and city traffic.Quiet corners, learning moments and gentle exploration
Beyond its visual charm, the Botanical Garden is also a place of learning. Discreet information boards explain themes such as plant evolution, adaptation and conservation. Latin names sit alongside common ones, inviting you to linger a little longer over unfamiliar leaves or seed pods. The proximity of the Natural History Museum underscores the garden’s role in research and education. Practical touches help sustain the unhurried atmosphere: gravel and paved paths make most areas easy to explore, there are benches placed for restful views, and a small café and shop provide refreshments and plant‑themed souvenirs. Whether you stay for a short circuit around the lake or a half‑day weaving between glasshouses and garden rooms, the space encourages slow, observant exploration rather than rushed sightseeing.A living collection at the heart of the museum district
The garden is also woven into a wider cultural landscape. It belongs to the Parkmuseerne district, a cluster of museums and historic parks in central Copenhagen, and the Natural History Museum sits in one corner. Together, they link indoor exhibitions on minerals, fossils and biodiversity with the living specimens outside. Because the outdoor areas are free to enter, many people use the paths as part of their daily routines, passing through on the way to work or study and pausing briefly under familiar trees. That mix of everyday use and scientific purpose gives the garden a distinctive character: part research collection, part neighbourhood park, and part time capsule of 19th‑century garden design preserved in the middle of a modern European capital.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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Gammeltorv
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Unmissable attractions to see
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Skaal
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Kultorvet
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Museum of Natural History
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The Danish Natural History Museum
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The Round Tower
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The David Collection
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Essential places to dine
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ARK
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The Olive Kitchen & Bar
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Høst
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Det Lille Apotek
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Alouette
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Restaurant Sole D’Italia - København
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Krebsegaarden
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Restaurant Grønnegade
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ferment, ramen izakaya
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l’Alsace
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Københavner Cafeen
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Vækst
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
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Fjällräven
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Souvenir Gifts shop
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Time's Up Vintage
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Another nué
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Studio Arhoj
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Henrik Vibskov Boutique
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Norse Projects
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Norse Store
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Notre Dame
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
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Bar'Vin
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Trykbar
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Bo-Bi Bar
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Strøm
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The Jane
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Charlie's Bar
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Nightclubs & after hour spots
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Arch
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Mini Bar
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Mirror
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Tranquil
- Scenic
- Relaxing
- Unique
- Casual
- Romantic
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Vintage Styles
- Modern Designs
- Rustic Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Parks & Gardens
- Landmarks
- Viewpoints
- Art & Design
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
- Sunset Spots
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Aesthetic Corners
- Reel-Friendly
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Low Impact
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Leave-No-Trace Critical
- Wildlife Habitat
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Mindfulness
- Meditation Spot
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Adventure Photo Shoot
- Nature Escape
- Day Trip
- Roadtrip Stop
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Wheelchair Access
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
- LGBT Friendly
